Match-scratcher.



A. H. LORING. MATGH SGRATOHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1913.

1,122,961. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

| l l I l I Wrmrzsszs INVENTOK THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO'LITHQ. WASHING roN. Dv C.

same 't entrain err FFIQ Application filedMarch 15, 1913.

i "To all whom it may concern 'iBeitknown that I, ARTHUR H. LORING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match- Scratchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in match-scratchers andhas for its object to provide an improved match scratching device adapted to be removably supported upon a garment in position to be conveniently used by the wearer, and embodying a receptacle for holding the matches in readiness for use.

To this end the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of thepreferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same with some parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same supported uponth'e edge or lip of a garment pocket; Fig. 4. is a rear elevation of the scratcher member alone; Fig. '5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention wherein the match receptacle is omitted, showing the "same supported upon the lip or edge of a garment pocket, with some parts broken away; and Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line zvw of Fig. 5.

In carrying out the invention I have constructed a scratcher comprising two connected members adapted to embrace and fit over the free edge of some supporting part of the wearers garment, such as the lip of a pocket or the waistband of a pair of trousers, one of which members has a scratching face while the other carries a match receptacle. The scratching face consists preferably, but not necessarily, of a separate scratching strip supported upon the member in some convenient way.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3 A represents the face or front member and B the back member. These are connected at the top by means of a hinge 2, and are held normally pressed together by suitable spring means, so as to embrace and grip between them the free edge of some supporting garment part, such as the lip C of a pocket, as shown in Specification of Letters Patent.

MATOH-SCRATCHER.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Serial No. 754,551.

Fig. 3. The spring means here employed consists of a coil spring 3 coiled about the pintle'i of the hinge, with its ends held, one

by the face member A and the other by the back member B. In the form here shown the face member A is provided with a separate scratching strip 5, which is removably held within a frame 6 formed by bending or folding over the bottom and side edges of the plate A. The scratching strip can be slipped down into the frame from the top and be as readily removed therefrom when worn. It will readily be seen that this is only one of many possible ways of supporting the scratching strip. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the back member B, which, like the face member, consists preferably of a sheet metal stamping, is extended below the face member and bent over at bottom and sides to form the bottom and Side walls of a match holding receptacle D, while to the free edge of the bottom wall is hinged at 7 an upwardly extending rear wall 8. The rear wall is somewhat shorter than the plate or member B, which constitutes the front wall of the receptacle, in order to expose the upper ends of the matches E which are intended to be arranged in up right position within the receptacle, as shown in Fig. 3. In order elastically to hold the matches in this position, whether the supply be large or small, the rear wall 8 is held normally sprung in between the side walls of the receptacle by suitable spring means, such as the coil spring 9 coiled about the hinge pintle 10 with its ends held by the bottom and rear walls, respectively. To assist in keeping the matches in upright position, the back wall is formed at the top with an inturned flange 11 having a serrated edge 12. As a further means for keeping the matches in upright position the plate B is formed with inwardly extending division lugs 18 and 14, which may be struck up from the stamping.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the match receptacle is omitted, and the device consists of a single piece of metal bent over upon itself to form face and back members F and G, respectively, adapted to embrace and be supported upon the free edge of some appropriate garment-part, such as the lip C of a pocket. It is preferably made of spring metal, so that the union or bridge 15 at the top will constitute a spring connecto grip the garment edge elastically between them, as in the form shown in Fig. 1. As

in Fig. l the face member is here shown bent over to form a frame wherein to support removably a separate scratching strip.

In filling the match receptacle in the form shown in Fig. l, the rear wall 8 is first sprung back and then the matches are placed on end within the receptacle. When the back is released it will exert constant spring pressure against the matches, and with the aid of the serrated upper edge and the division lugs, will hold them in upright position.

The. device is applied to the wearers garment by simply slipping it over the lip of a pocket, or the edge of a waistband or other appropriate garment part, with the face or scratching member upon the outside of the lip or band, and the back member on the inside. And where the back member carries a match receptacle, and -the device is supported upon the lip of a pocket, the receptacle will find convenient lodgment within the pocket. Uf course, where the members have a spring connection, as above described, they must first be slightly sprung apart to enable them to be slipped over the lip or band. Then, when they are released, they will spring together and firmly grip the lip or band between them. To strengthen the grip of'the spring members upon the garment, one of the members, preferably the face member A, may be formed with a row of bosses 16, which'may be conveniently stamped up therefrom, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the device is in place matches may be conveniently taken from the match recepment, match scratching meansupon the face of the front member, a match receptacle carried by the back member and having a flat bottom, and means carried by the re ceptacle for keeping the matches inupright position. I

2. A match scratcher comprising two connected members adapted to embrace and be supported upon the free edge of a garment, match scratching means upon the face of the front member, a match receptacle carried by the back member, and means at the back of the receptacle for exerting forward elastic pressure upon the contained matches,

whereby to hold them in upright position.

3. A match scratcher comprising two connected members adapted to grip between thema free edge of the garment, match scratching means upon the face of the front member, and a match receptacle carried by the back member and adapted to hold matches in upright position, said receptacle having a spring controlled back wall adapted to exert spring pressure upon said matches, whereby to hold them in position for use.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. Y

ARTHUR H. LORING.

Witnesses: I

ARTHUR P. LoTHRoP, H. SWANSON.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

' Washington, D. G. 

